CITIZENS ADVICE SERVICE IN THREE RIVERS (A company limited by guarantee) Report and Financlal Statements Year ending 31 March 2025 Charity number 1104392 Company number 5082066
CITILfi NS ADVIC£ SERVICE IN THRLI E RIVEI RS Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 Contents Pages Report of the directors and trustees 3tolO I ndependent auditor's report Ilto14 Statement of financial activities 15 Balance sheet 16 Statement of cash flows 17 Notes to the account5 18to30
CITIZE4 NS ADVICE SERVICE IN THREE4 RERs Report of the Directors and Trustees for the year ending 31 tvlarch 2025 The trustees Iwho are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are pleased to present their annual directors, report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ending 31 March 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors, report and accounts for Companies Act purposes. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the memorandum and articles of association, and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice I'charities SORP") applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland; FRS 102 issued in October 2019. Oblectives and activltles a) Objectlves and aims The Charlty's objectives are to promote any charitable purpose for the benefit of primarily, but not exclusively, the community in Three Rivers by the advancement of education, the protection and preservation of health and the relief of povertyj sickness and distress. Our service provides free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information. It also alms to exercise a responslble influence on the development of soc131 policles locally and nationally and attempt5 to ensure individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge or an inability to express their needs effectively. We value diver51ty, promote equality and inclusion, and challenge discrlmination. Our alms are focused on providlng the advice people need for the problems theyface and to Improve the policles and practlces that affect people's lives and are undertaken specifically to provlde publlc beneflt, The board of trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commisslon guidance on public benefit and have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charltles Act 2011. b) Strategles and actlvlties for the year The main areas of charltable actlvity are the provislon of generalist advlce and InformatSon, speclalist help with debt advice and family law matters, scams and trlbunal representation for slckness and disability benefit appeals. The range of generalist advlce we offer spans", full advice offered on virtually any issue from our comprehensive information system, with further speclalist advice available from our extensive bank of reference books and consultancy helpllnes. negotiation wlth third parties outside Citizens Advice to secure the best and fairest outcome for our clients; holistic advice model to ensure all issues are addressed,. and signposting andlor referral to an area beyond our expertise or remit. Generalist advice and information is offered at each of our three offices. The service is open to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or natlonality. Individual advlce is provided at drop-in times, face to face by appointment, ovÈr the telephone through our local offices and via Cltlzens Advice's Herts Adviceline, hy en)ail via our website and through national email and webchat seEyices. We also hold advice outreaches at the Mill End Foodbank (run by Rickmansworth Foodbankl and h05t the local authority's Healthy Hub for one day a week at Abbots Langley.
CITIZENS ADVICE SERVICE IN TIIRLI L RWERS Report of the Directors and Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 (contlnuedl ObJectives and activities (continuedl We also offer specialist debt advice across each of our offices. This service consists of helping clients, Usually those with multlple debts, to face a better future with the financial literacy and resilience to move forward debt free. Our money advisers will negotiate with creditors to encourage them to freeze interest on repayments until the client is in a position to start paying them. We also may negotiate with the creditor to write the debt off altogether if there is no realistic chance of repayment. Alternatively, our money advisers will calculate realistic repayments on a pro rat3 basis to all creditors, or assist clients with insolvency as appropriate. We also help clients apply for bankruptcy 2nd Debt Relief Orders (DROI, our inhouse DRO Intermediaries provide our clients with a seamless service to write off their debts. We also represent our debt clients at possession hearings at the local county court. Our Money advice service is part funded by the local authority with additional funding from Thrive Homes, The Henry Smith Charity and Hertfordshire County Council. Our other main areas of speclalist work are case work and tribunal representation for sickness and dlsabllltv benefits, and family law casework. Our slckness and dlsability casework is part funded by the Graham Rowlandson Foundation in partnership with Hertfordshire Community Foundation (HCFI. We also receive funding from Watford Rural Parlsh Council to provide casework at South Oxhey, and fundlng from Abbots Langley ParSsh Council to support a case worker at Abbots Langley, Our family law casework team consists of a volunteer case worker and a paid case worker and the team Is supported by our volunteer service. The delivery of this casework Is supported by funding from Hertfordshire Community Fund and our core local authorlty grant. This year we have continued to distribute funds vla our servlce to clients In need. Most of these funds were paid to us from the Government Household Support Funds IHSFI and distributed by us in the form of supermarket vouchers. HSF funds were a51ocated by the local authority for us to distribute to Thrlve Homes tenants In need Ilving in Three Rivers. Additional HSF funds were allocated to us by the local authority for distributing to clients Ilving in Three Rivers. We also distributed, on behalf of Thrive Homes, HSF funds to Thrive Homes tenants. The total ofthis money1£25,140 2025, £34,649 20241 is included in both grant Income and dlrect expenses. This money does not represent underlying costs of the service although costs are incurred in its administration for which additional grants are received. Achlevements and performance Our Treasury approved financial modelling tool (produced by national Citizens Advice) shows that in 2024125 our service in Three Rivers returned a public value of circa £35 for every £1 Invested in us. This tool also calculates that the annual financial value of our work to the public is £18,806,040 and the annual financial value to the people that we help is £10,850,480. In the last year our Charity recorded over 20,000 client contacts in addition to all the administrative work that we do on behalf of our clients. We also helped our clients to gain additional income of at least £1.6 million and to write off debts of £618,659 while helping them with at least 19,156 issues. The mainstay of our service are ourvolunteers, who provide information, advice ar)d generalist case work to our clients. In the year under review at least 29,120 volunteer hours were donated by our volunteers. We continue to have signific3nt and multiple changes to our volunteer numbers and these numbers were still fluctuating throughout the year, with the count of 70 volunteers as of March 2025. We are very proud of the significant value that our Servi is able to return to our community.
CII'IZENS ADVICE SLI RVICE IN I'HREE RIVERS Report of the Directors and Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued) Achievements and performance (continued) The twin aims of the Citizens Advice seniice require that wheneverwe encounter an issue of local social unfairness we campaign to raise awareness of the problem and seek to effect change for the better. At a natlonal level, we can pass these social policy issues to Citizen5 Advice's social policy department for them to pursue further, and where possible influence Parliamentary Committees and ultimately legislation on the issue. The general low level of benefit income and increased indebtedness are of concern and exacerbated by the significant cost of living crisis that our community faces. We continue to work locally to look at the accurateness of health assessments for sickness and disability benefits, the accuracy of decision making and the long waiting times for sickness and disability benefit appeals. We have had further government responses to our concerns and we are now working on additional data reports to use to facilitate local and national discussion. We responded to the previous governments Green Paper and White Paper on Health and Disability Benefits and are now working on the response to the current government's Green Paper 'Pathways to Work,; Reforming Benefits and Support to get Britain Working,. We continue to raise the issues our clients facc due to the Cost-of-Living Crlsis with our MP5 and local government and shared both nationally and locally gathered data with our partners and funders. This data illustrates how price rises, such as energy, are affecting the local community. Flnanclal revlew Duringthe past year, total income was £545k (2024 £572kl and expenditure £601k (2024 £585kl, The unrestricted Income was £299k12024 £289kl and the unrestricted expenditure £352k {2024 £285k) producing a deficit on general funds of £53k12024 surplus £4k}. Our unrestricted funds carried forward have reduced to £425k. The increase in total expenditure from last year was primarily due to additional cost5 being incurred relatlng to the replacement ofthe roof at our South Oxhey location, costs that we were unaware of until just before year end, together with other one-off costs. The reduction in total Income reflects the continulng difficultles in obtalnlng Erant funding and the late wlthdrawal of promised fundi ng that fell outside of our control.
CITIZII NS ADVICE SLRVICE IN THREE RIVERS Report of the Director5 and Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued) Financial revlew (continued) a) Prlncipal fundlng sources Our principal fundinE source is Three Rivers District Council, in the form of a grant and accommodation at our Rickmansworth bureau. As a result of increasing constraints on local authority expenditure the Charity obtains funding and donations from other bodies. This totalled £247,677 and included: Abbots Langley Parish Council - £2.500 to fund a part time sickness and disability benef it5 caseworker at Abbots Langley,. Citizens Advice- £38,042 to help us develop Remote Service Deliveryl Citizens Advlce- £3,780 to provide energy advice; Citizens Advice - £182 for the administration of Debt Relief Orders; Graham Rowlandson Foundation and Hertfordshire Community Foundation - £10,000 to provide disability and benefits advice,. The Henry Smlth Charity- £40,500 to provide debt advice. Hertfordshire Community Fund - £5,000 to fund family law casework; Hertfordshire County Council- £20,000 to support the extra capacity required due to client demand; Hertfordshire County Council - £31,693 for a crisis intervention fund; Mlll End Community Trust- £1,594 to fund a caseworker at the Mill End Foodbank; The Parochial Church Councll of Abbots Langley and the St Albans Dlocesan Board of Flnance a rent subsidy of £9,192 for the premises at Abbots Langley; Natlonal Lottery Community Fund- É19,983 to support our increased capacity during the Cost of Living crlsls; Three Rivers District Council £2,000 for administration costs for distributing Government Household Support Funds IHSF),. Three Rivers District Council - £30,OLK), E27,000 of HSF to be distributed to clients In need, and £3,000 to cover administration costs. Thrive Homes- £3,000 of HSF to be distributed to Thrive tenants in need; Thrlve Homes- £21,799 to provide a referral service; Watford Rural Parlsh Council £5,0 to fund a part time slckness and disability benefits caseworker at South Oxhey. We also received, in March, £50,000 from the Postcode Community Trust as an Unrestricted Grant. A condition of the grant is that it cannot go directly to reserves and consequently, due to it5 having being received very late in the year, it has been Included in Grants in Advance (see Note 14). In addition, we received £3,412 following the dissolution of Hertfordshire Citizens Advice Servlce {see Note 13). The trustees would like to thank all funders for their continuing support.
CITIZLI NS IIDVICE SERVICE IN THREE RIVE4 RS Report of the Directors and Trustees for the year ended 31 March 20251continued) Financial review (contlnued) h) Investment policy The trustees, having regard to the liquidity requirements of our advi service, have kept available funds in an interest-bearing deposit account and seek to achieve a rate on deposit which matches or exceeds inflation as measured by the retail prices index. Due to wider economic circumstances deposit rates have been depressed and so this aim was not achieved In the year. c) Resenies pollcy The trustees have examined the Charity's requirement for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. As reported previously the policy is to hold unrestricted funds not commltted or invested in tangible fixed assets amounting to 9 months of the annual operating expenditure. Expenditure for 2024125 is £601k. However this includes £25k of direct payments to clients. It is considered that these expenses should not be included in expenses for the purpose5 of calculating the reserve slnce they are not part of our controllable expenses. Expenses after deducting direct client payments for 24125 is £576k. On that basis a target of £432k should be held in general fund5. These reseNes are needed to meet the worklng capit31 requirements of the Charity, and the trustees are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the Charity in the short term in the event of a slgnificant drop In funding. The unrestricted funds stand at £425k which is below the target level of reserves by £7k. This was a difficult vear for fund raising which, together with certaln one- off costs, resulted in a significant drop in unrestricted reserves. The following years will continue to be f inancially challengin& and the trustees are well aware that future funding is not guaranteed. The trustees have also reviewed the designated reserves included within the unrestrlcted funds. The computer fund has been removed on the basis that, in practlce, capital grants will be sought to fund signlflcant computer purchases, I n addition, the premises fund has been expanded to include potential dilapidation costs at our South Oxhey premises, as well a5 at Abbots Langley. Finally, the costs of providing cover In the event of potential maternity leave have been removed from the employee fund as these are considered to be part of our normal operatlon5. Structurei governance and management a) Governlng document The company was set up as a company limited by guarantee under a memorandum of associatlon which established the objects and power of the charitable Company and is governed under its articles of association. In the event of the company belng wound up members are required to contrlbute an amount not exceeding £1 each. At 31 March 2025 the company had 14 members. bl Appolntment of trustees The trustees are appointed by the member5 of the company and are elected to serve for a period of three ve3rs after which they must be re-elected at the next annual general meeting. The trustees can co-opt people to the board who must then be formally elected by the members at the next annual general meeting. Business skills are well represented on the trustee board and members, skills are reviewed each year. cl Trustee inductlon and training All potential trustees undergo a thorough induction and training process. Initially, an interview is held with the chair of the board and chief officer. References are subsequently taken out if the candidate has been approved. The potenti31 trustee is given a copy of a new trustee pack. There then follows an attachment to a service manager in the bureau, and attendance on a trustees, induction course, run by Citizens Advlce. The potential trustee is subsequently proposed as a director at the next board meeting and stand5 for election at the next Annual General Meeting.
CITIZLNS ADVICE SERVICE IN THREL RIVII RS Report of the Directors and Trustee5 for the year ended 31 March 2025 ¢contlnuedl Structurei governance and management {contlnued) d) Organi5ation Citizens Advice Service in Three Rlvers is a member of Citizens Advice, the operating name of the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, which provides a framework for standards of advice and casework management as well as monitoring progress against these standards. Operating policies are independently determined by the board of trustees in order to fulfil its charitable objects and comply with the national membership requirements. The board of trustees, which can have up to 15 members, normally meets quarterly. A chief officer is appointed by the trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity. In addition, there is an experlenced team of paid staff and volunteers who are key to the service offered by the Charity. Decisions are made by the trustee board in line with the business development plan and are reviewed at least annuallv. The senior management team meet to review progress against target5 and the Charlty's financial position and to discu55 Issues referred to them by the trustee board. Reports and recommendations are then taken to the full board for approval, and their implementatioh is organised by the chief off icer and the staff team. There are regular staff, volunteer meetings and senior management team meetings which ensure that progress is being made against targets. There is an annual general meetlng which Involves the staff team, trustee board, members and other stakeholders. el Related parties and co-operatlon with other organisations None of our trustees receive remuneration or other benefit from their work with the Charity, Any connection between a trustee or senlor manager of the Charity with a suppller or grant glving body must be disclosed to the full board of trustees in the same way as any other contractual relationship with a related party. Related party transactlons are reported In note 8 to the accounts. f) Pay pollcy for senlor staff The directors consider the board of dlrectors, who are the Charitvs trustees, and the senior management team comprise the key management personnel of the charity. All directors give of their time freely and no director received remLJneration in the year. Details of directors, expenses and related party transactlons are disclosed in note 8 to the accounts. The pay of the senior staff is reviewed annually and normally increases in accordance with average earnings. In view of the nature of the charity, the trustees benchmark against pay levels in other local citizens advice offices. The chief officer's salary is reviewed and approved by the trustee board separately but In Ilne with the policy set out above. gl Rlsk management The trustee5 have a risk management strategy which comprises.. A quarterly review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the Charity faces; The establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identlfied In the annual review; and The implementation of procedures designed to minlmlse or manage any potential impact on the Charity should those risks materialise.
CITIZLI NS ADVICE SERVICE IN THREE RIVERS Report of the Directors and Trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 (continued) Reference and admlnlstratlve Informatlon Registered name: Charity number: Registered Office: Citizens Advice Service in Three Rivers Other name used.. CASTR 1104392 Company number." 5082066 Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth WD3 IRL. The directors of the charitable company (the Charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law. The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows: Key management personnel: Trustees and directors Nominated chair: Elected trustees: Ronald Sweetman Mary Alderson Emily Dunbar 'Surcsh Gajjar Andrew Pickford Graham Sadler Paul Shaw Eluned Wallace Key management personnel: Sensor management team Chlef Executive Officer,. Peta Mettam Advice Service manager: Trish Lincoln The followlng were advisers to the trustees: Principal Bankers Auditors Lloyds Bank plc Hillier Hopklns LLP PO Box 1000 Radius House Andover 51 Clarendon Road BXI ILT Watford WD17 IHP
CITIZENS ADVICE SERVICE IN THREI E RIVE, RS 10 Report of the Director5 and Trustees for the year ended 31 March 20251tontinued) Trustees, responslbilities statement- charitable company The trustees (who are also directors of Citizens Advice Service in Three Rrvers for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing a trustees, annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The report and accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in the Companies Act 2006 relatinE to small companies. Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, Including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing the financi31 statements, the trustees are required to: Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently,. Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; State whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subjectto any material departures disclosed and explained in the f inancial statements,. and Prepare the financlal statements on the going concern basis unless it Is Inappropriate to presume that the Charlty will continue in buslness. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the flnancial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safe8uarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and flnancial Information Included on the charitable company's website. Legislatlon in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financlal statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Statement as to dlsclosure to our auditors In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees, annual report: there is no relevant information, being information needed by the auditor in connection with preparing thelr report, of which the Charity's auditor is unaware; and the trustees, having made enquiries of fellow directors and the Charity's auditor that they ought to have individually taken, have each taken all steps that hc/she is obliged to take as a dlrector in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is 3ware of that information. Audltors Hillier Hopkins LLP was appointed as the charitable companvs auditors at the last annual general meeting and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity. By order of the board of trustees Ronald Sweetman Chalrman Date: 2ryd October 2025
CITILLI NS ADVICE SERVICE IN THREI Ei RIVERS Independent AuditoWs Report to The Members ol Citizens Advice Service in Three River5 Opinion We have audited the financial statements of Citizens Advice Service in Three Rivers Ithe 'charitable company'} for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Stondord opplicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements: glve a true and fair view of the state of the charitable companvs affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended,. have been properly prepared in accordance wlth United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. Basis for oplnlon We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing IUKI115As (UK}} and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described In the Auditorfs responsibilities for the audlt of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audlt of the financial statements in the UK, Sncluding the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance wlth these requlrements. We belleve that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficlent and approprlate to provide a ba51s for our oplnlon. Conclusions relatlng to £olng concem In auditSng the financlal statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the golng concern basls of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertalnties relatlng to events or conditions that, individually or collectivelyi may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a perlod of at least twelve months from when the financlal statements are authori5ed for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
CITIZENS ADVICE SERVICL IN Tll1 RIVEI RS 12 Independent Auditor's Report to the members of Citizens Advice Service in Three Rivers Icontinued) Other information The trustees are responsible forthe other information. The other information comprises the information included in the trustees, annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly statod in our report, we do not express any fomi of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so. consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the fina ncial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material Inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there Is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material mi5Statement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are requlred to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Matters on which we are requlred to report by exception We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charltles (Accounts and Reports) Regulatlons 2008 require us to report to you If, In our opinion: the information given in the trustees, report is inconsistent in any material respect wlth the flnancial statements; or the charitable company has not kept adequate accounting records,. or the financlal statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or we have not received all the Information and explanatlons we require for our audit. Responsibilities of trustees As explalned more fully in the trustees, responsibilities statement set out on pages 7 and 8, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable companyfor the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for belng satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and f'or such Internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financlal statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company'5 ability to contlnue as a going concern, disclosing. as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the golng concern basis of accounting unless the tnjstees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic olternative but to do so.
CITIZEI NS ADVICE SERVtCE IN THREE IUVLRS 13 Independent Audltor's Report to the members of Citizens Advice Service in Three River5 (continued) Auditorfs responsibllltles for the audlt of the financial statements We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a hiEh level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in 3ccordance with ISAS IUKI will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if. individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to inf luence the economic declsions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. I rregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in l ine with ou r responslbilities, outlined above, to detect material misstate.ments in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed bclow: We have a55essed the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance including the remuneration incentives and pressures of key management; The primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with governance of the entity and management. We consider the results of our enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities; Any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the Charity's documentation of their policies and procedures relating to.. identlfyin& evaluating and complying with laws and regulatlons and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance; detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. the Internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compllance with laws and regulations,. The matters dlscussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud mlght occur In the flnancial statements and any potential indicators of fraud. As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunitles and incentives that may exist within the orga nisation for fra ud and identified the greatest potential for fraud. In common with all audits under ISAS IUK}, we are also required to perform Specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override, including testing journals and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material m155tatement due to fraud. We also obtalned an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that the Charlty operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material 3 mounts and disc105ures in the financial statements. We focused on laws and regulations that could give rise to a material mi55tatement in the financial statements, includin& but not limited to, the Charities Act 2011 and relevant tax legislation.
CITIZENS ADVICE SERVICEI IN THREE IUVLRS 14 Independent Auditor's Report to the members of Citizens Advice Service in Three Rivers Icontinued} Audltorfs respohsibilitles forthe audit of the financial statements (contlnued) Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement In the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regardin8 irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud Involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financlal statements is located on the Flnancial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report. Use of our report This report is made solely to the charitable companws trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulatlons 2008.-Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters which we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibillty to anyone other than the charitable company and the Charitable company's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for thls report, or for the opinion5 we have formed. Hilller Hopklns LLP Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor Radius House 51 Clarendon Road Watford WD17 IHP Date: 2 October 2025 Hillier Hopkins LLP are eligible to act a5 an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006
CITIZENS ADVICL SERVICf IN THREE RIVERS 15 statement of Financial Activitles (incorporating an income and expenditure account foryear ended 31 March 2025 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Notes Total 2024 Income from: Donations Charitabl e activities Investment income 1,880 284,884 12,388 299,152 250 246,083 2,130 530,967 12,388 545.485 1,034 562,640 7,995 571,669 246 333 Expenditure on: Raising fund5 Charitable activities Total resources expended 16,071 335,956 352,027 16,071 585,Q63 601,134 15,488 569,126 584,614 249,107 249,107 Net Income and movement In funds {51875) (2,774) (55,649) (12,945) Reconclllation of funds: Total funds brought forward 477,392 10, 102 487,494 5C(),439 Total f unds carrled forward 424,517 £ 7,328 £ 431,845 £ 487,494 The notes on pages 18 to 30 form part of the financial statements
CITIZINS ADVIC SIRVICL IN THREE RIVERS 16 Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025 Notes 2025 2024 Fixed Assets Tangi bl e assets Investments 12 13 Current Assets Prepayments Trade debtors Short term deposits Cash at bankand in hand 7,134 465 2,099 164,536 351,990 519,090 31,596 312,734 225,201 545,069 113,224 Creditors falling due wlthin one year 14 Net Current Assets 431,845 487,494 Total assets less current Ilabilities 431,845 £ 487,494 Funds Unrestricted funds General fund Designated funds 15&17 15&17 314,017 110,500 332,692 144,700 424,517 477,392 Restricted funds 16&17 7,328 10, 102 Total funds 431,845 £ 487,494 The company's flnanelal statements have been prepared In accordance wlth the provisions appllcable to companles whlch are subject to the small companles, regime. The trustees consider that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to have an audit under the provlslons of Section 477 Companies Act 20061.the Act") and members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act. However, an audit is requlred In aecordance with section 144 Charities Act 2011. The trustees acknowledge thelr responsibllltles for complying with the requirements of the Act wlth respect to accounting records and the preparation of f Inanclal statements. The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the trustee5 on 2 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by: R 5weetman Chair A G Sadler Treasurer The notes on pages 18 to 30 form part of the financial statements.
CITIZII NS ADVICE SLRVICfi IN THREE RIVERS 17 Statement of Cash Flows for yearending 31 March 2025 Note 2025 2024 Cash flows from operatlng activities Net cash provided/labsorbed) by operating activities 18 1139, 177) 862 Cash flows from investing actlvltles Interest income 12,388 7,995 Increaselldecreasel in cash and cash equivalents in the year {126,7891 8,857 Cash In hand at the beginnlngof the year 351,990. 343,133 Total cash In hand at the end of the year £ 225,201 £ 351,990 The notes on pages 18 to 30 form part of the financial statements.
CITIZENS ADVICE SLRVICI IN THREL IUVERS 18 Notes on the Accounts l. Attountlng policies The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the flnanci31 statements are as follows- al Basis of preparation The financSal st3tements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities SORP (FRS 1021 Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Flnancial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective l January 2019) , the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021 and the Companies Act 2006. Citizens Advice Service in Three Rivers meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Asset5 and liabilities are initially recognised at hlstorical cost or transaction value unless otherwlse stated in the relevant accounting policy note, The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern. b) Income All Income Is included In the statement of financial activltles when the Charity is entltled to the funds and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is deferred only when the Charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entltled to it or where the donor has specified that the income Is to be expended in a future period, Income from Government and other grants, whether capltal grants or revenue grants, is recognised when the Charlty has entitlement, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. ¢) Donated servl¢es and facilitles Donated services and facillties are recognised as income when the Charity has control over the Item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met. the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the Charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance wlth the Charities SORP IFRS 1021, the time of the general volunteers is not recognised. The trustees, annual report provides more information about their contribution. d} Interest recelvable Interest on funds held on deposit is included when recelvable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; thls is upon notiflcation of the Interest paid or payable by the Bank. e) Fund accounting Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the Charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the Charity which the trustees have decided at their discretlon to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the Chariws work orfor speciflc projects being undertaken by the Charitv.
CITIZEI NS ADVICE SEI RVICE IN THREE RIVERS 19 Notes on the Accounts (continued) f) Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT Expendlture is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third partv, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expendlture is classified under the following activity headings: Costs of raising funds comprise the salary costs associated with grant applications. Expenditure on charitable activities includes all expenditure directly related to the objects of the Charity and comprises staff costs, training and travel analysed between the Charity's activities. other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost agalnst the attivity for which the expenditure was incurred. g) Allocation of support costs Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the Charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include all the management, administration, central functions and governance costs which support the Charity's activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The bases on which support costs have been allocated are set out in Note h) Operating leases Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. i) Fixed assets Individual f ixed assets costing £5,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over thelr estimated useful economic lives on a straight line basls as follows: Computer equipment and furniture over 4 years Fixtures and furnlshlngs over 5 years j) Debtors Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any dlscounts due. kl Cash at bank and in hand Cash at bank and cash In hand includes cash and short term hiRhly liquid investments with 3 short maturlty of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account. l) Penslons The Charity operates a moneypurchase scheme which is operated byscottish Widows plc. Employeescontract dlrectly with the insurance company. The Charity makes a matching contributlon of 6% of salary to the scheme and acts as agent in collecting and paying over employee pension contributions.
CITIZEI NS ADVICE SLI RVICE IN THREE RIVERS 20 Notes on the Accounts (continued) m) Creditors and provlslons Creditors and provisions are recognised where the Charity has a present obligatlon restjlting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obl igation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditor5 and provisions are recognised at their settlement amount fter allowing for any discounts due. nl Legal status of the Charity The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limlted to £1 per member of the Charity.
CITIZENS IlDVtCl SERVICE IN TIIREE RIVERS 21 Notes on the Accounts (continuedl 2. Income from Charitable Activities and Donations Unrestrirted Restricted Total 2024 Charitable activities Three Rivers District Counci I Abbots Langley Parochial Church Council Abbots Langley Parish Council Citizens Advice The Henry Smith Charity Graham Rowlandson Foundation & HCF He rtfordshire County Counci I Hertfordshlre Community Fund Hertfordshire and West E55ex Integrated Care Board National Lottery Community Fund Thrive Homes Thrive Homes & Three Rivers District Council Watford Health Trust Watford Rural Parish Council The Davld LalngTrust Dacorum Community Trust Mill End CommunltyTrust Dissolution of HCAS {see Note 13) 261, 290 54,C(iO 9, 192 2,5) 41,822 40,500 10,OLK) 31.693 5,000 315, 290 9,192 2,500 42,004 40,5(K) 10,000 51,693 5,000 284,290 9,192 2,500 47,307 39,500 10,ooD 115,673 3,0(Kl 17,417 4,724 20,035 2,000 2, 164 I,ocK) 2,500 90 1,248 182 20,OJO 19,983 24,799 19,983 24, 799 5,000 5,000 1,594 1,594 3,412 3,412 284,884 £ 246,083 £ S30,967 £ 562,640 Donatlon5 Abbots Langley Good Nelghbours Association Watford Rural Parish Council Various Anonymous Donors 1,880 1,880 £ 2, 130 2,130 £ 1,034 1,034 250 £
CITIZENS ADVICE SERVICE IIY THREE RIVERS 22 Notes on the Accounts (continued) 3. Investment income All of the Charitvs investment income of £12,388 {2024- £7,995) arises from money held in interest bearing deposit accounts. 4. Statement of flnanclal activltles for 2024 Unrestricted funds Restrlcted funds Total Income from: Donations Charitable activlties Investment income Other grant income 784 250 282,350 1,034 562,640 280,290 7,995 289,069 282,600 571,669 Expenditure on: Ralsln8 f unds Charitable activitles Total resour5 expended 15,488 269,141 284,629 15,488 569,126 584,614 299,985 299,985 Net Income and movement In funds 117,385) 112,9451 Reconcillatlon of funds: Total funds brought forward 472,952 27,487 500,439 Total funds carried fonvard 477,392 £ 10,102 £ 487,494
CITIZEI NS ADVICE SERVICE IN THREE RIVLRS 23 Notes on the Accounts Icontinued) 5. Expenditure on Charltable activities General Adv5ce Money Advice Currentyear Case Work Total Costs dlrectly associated to Activities Staff Costs Direct charitable expe nd iture Training and other costs Travel Citizens Advice charges 285,242 25, 140 1.293 1,376 5,369 65,179 36,248 386,669 25,140 1,724 1,835 7,159 276 294 155 165 1,146 318,420 66,895 37,212 422,527 Support Costs Allocated to ArtivltSes Premlses costs Computer and equipment costs Insurance Pri nting and stati onery Communications Sundry Governance costs 79,563 3,617 3,401 4,807 5,086 5,221 20,2ChS 16,974 772 726 9,548 434 408 106,085 4,823 4,535 6,409 6,781 6,962 26,941 1,025 577 610 627 2,425 1,114 4,310 121,901 26,006 14,629 162,536 Support costs have been allocated to the three key charitable activitles based on the amount of tlme advisers have spent on each activity during the year.
CITIZENS ILDVI(X SLRVICE IN THREI E RIVEI RS 24 Notes on the Accounts (rontinued) 5. Expendlture on charitable activities {continued) General Advlce Money Advlce Prevlous year Case Work Total Cosl's directly associated to Actlvitles Staff Costs Direct charitable expenditure Training and other costs Travel Citizens Advice charges 263,692 34,649 5,11]4 1,530 4,915 66.471 48,101 378,264 34,649 7,189 2, 155 6,923 1,222 366 863 259 831 1,177 309,890 69,236 50,054 429.180 Support Costs Allocated to Activitie5 Premises costs Computerand equipmentcosts I nsurance Pri nting and stationery Communications Sundry Governance costs 59,234 6,213 3,170 4,172 4,348 5,071 17,154 14,183 io,oii 1,050 536 705 735 857 2,899 83,428 8,751 4,465 5,876 6,124 7, 142 24,160 759 999 1,041 1,214 4,107 99,362 23,791 139,946 Support costs have been allocated to the three key charitable activities based on the amount of time advisers have spent on each activity during the year.
CITIZENS ADVICE SERVICI IN THREI E RIVERS 25 Notes on the Account5 (continued) 6. Governance costs 2025 2024 Salaries Auditfee Legal and professional fees 8,036 7,744 7,620 8,796 24,160 9,305 26,941 7. Net Income Net income forthe year is stated after: 2025 2024 Depreclation Auditors, remuneration 9,600 7,620 8. Analysls of staff casts and key management. trustee remuneratlon, and related party transactlons and related party transactions 2025 2024 Salaries and wages Social security costs Pension costs Total 372,746 20,808 17,224 410,778 365,783 20,106 15,606 £ 401,495 No employees had employee benefits in excess of £60,00012024'. nil). The trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the Charity12024: nill. Paul Shaw was reimbursed expenses of £13 during the year (2024: nill. The key management personnel of the Charity comprise the trustees, the company secretary, the Chlef Officer and the Advice Service Manager. The total employee beneflts of the key management personnel were £107,542, {2024: £104,806). The average monthly head count was 23 staff12024: 231 and the average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees, including casual and part-time staff, during the year was as follows: Core bureau staff: Non-core bureau staff.. 6.1 {2024. 6.41 4.9 (2024.. 4.81 Paul Shaw is a consultant with Myers Clark, Chartered Accountants. Myers Clark provide the Charity with payroll and accountancy advice. The services are provided to the Charity at commercial rates and the amount charged for the year totalled £3,48512024: £3,366).
CITIZEI NS ADVICE SERVICE IN THRE4 E RIVERS 26 Notes on the Accounts (continued) 9. Penslon costs The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all eligible employees. The pension chargeforthe year in respect of this scheme was £17,224 {2024-. £15,606). At 31 March 2025, contributions of£2,622 were due to be paid to the pension scheme12024'. £nill. 10. Government grants The Charity enjoys a close working relationship with Three Rivers District Council and Hertfordshlre County Council. Together these Councils provide fundin8 to enable the Charity to carry out its charitable activities. There are no unfulfilled conditions or other contingencies attaching to these grants. Total government grants received were £377,89512023 £410,155). In accordance with subsection 37141 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, 311 grants have been fully utilised in accordance with the terms under which they were originally granted and have been expended on revenue Items in the normal course of the charitable company's activities. 11. Taxation The charlty Is exempt from tax on Income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. 12. Tanglble fixed assets Fixtures and Flttlngs Cost At l April 2024 Additions 8,819 At 31 March 2025 8,819 Accumulated depreclatlon At l April 2024 Provlsion for the year 8,819 At 31 March 2025 8,819 Net book value at 31 March 2025 Net book value at 31 March 2024
CITIZLI NS èlDIqCE SERVICE IN THREE RIVERS 27 Notes on the Accounts (continued) 13. Flxed asset investment The Charity was a member of Hertford5hire Citizens Advice Service, a consortium company of the ten bureaux in Hertfordshire and each bureau was a member. The company was a company limited by guarantee and in the event of the company being wound up members were required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 each. The company was dissolved on 21" January 2025 and remaining funds distributed to members. Our share was £3,412. The bureaux continue to collaborate on joint projects. 14. Creditor5: Amounts falllng due within one year 2025 2024 Cred itors Accruals Grants in advance 27,662 32, 104 53,458 113,224 18,447 13, 149 31,596 IS. Analysls of movement5 In unrestrltted funds Balance at 01-Apr 2024 Balance at 31-Mar 2025 Incomlng resources Resources. expended Current Year Transfers General fund Designated employee fund Designated premises fund Designated computer fund 332,692 104,000 20,000 20,700 477,392 £ 299, 152 1352,0271 34,200 (33,500) 20,000 120,700 314,017 70,5CX) 40,om 299,152 £ (352,027) £ £ 424,517 Balance at 01-Apr 2023 Balance at 31-Mar 2024 Incomlng resources Resources expended Previous Year Transfers General fund Designated employee fund Deslgnated premises fund Deslgnated computer fund 335,252 97,1)Xi 20,CKK) 20,7LKI 472 952 £ 289,069 1284,6291 {7,0001 7,CKiO 332,692 104,000 2a,000 20,700 £ 477,392 289,069 £ {284,629) £
CITIZENS ADVtCE SERVICE IN THR£i E RIVE4 RS 28 Notes on the Accounts (continued) Name of unrestricted fund Description, nature and purpose of the fund General fund Employee fund The "free reSeeS. after allowing for all designated funds. To cover the costs the Charity would incur should funding from Three Rivers District Council cease or be substantially reduced, and is designed to cover the Ilkely redundancy costs. Last year, it also included an amount to provide cover in the case of maternity leave. To cover the potential future repaircosts ofthe Abbots Langley and South Oxhey premises. To cover the costs of replacing IT equipment on a rolling programme to keep the equipment up to date. This has been removed this year, Premises fund Computer fund Following a review of the deslgnated funds by the trustees, the computer fund has been removed on the basls that, in practice, capital grants will be sought to fund significant computer purchases, In addition, the premises fLtnd has been expanded to include potential dilapidation costs at our South Oxhey premises, as well a5 at Abbots Langley, Finally, the costs of providing cover in the event of potential maternity leave have been removed fron) the employee fund as these are considered to be part of our normal operations. 16. Analysls of movements In Yestrlcted funds Balance at 01-Apr 2024 Balance at 31-Mar 2025 Incomlng reSoUrS Resources expended Currentyear Transfers General advice Debt advice Case work Accommodation Charity donations 1,594 (1,594) 93,992 196,9921 84,305 189,305) 33, 192 {33,192) 33,250 28,024} 246,333 £ 1249,107) 3,000 2,102 10.102 £ 7,328 7,328 Balance at 01-Apr 2023 Balance at 31-Mar 2024 Incomlng resources Resources expended Previous Year Transfers General advice Debt advice Case work Accommodation Charity donations 1.248 11,248) 89,430 IllJ),167) 110,416 {110,416} 33,192 (33,192) 48,314 54,962) 282,600 £ 1299,985) 8,371 10,366 5,366 (5,3661 5,000 8.750 27.487 £ 2,102 10,102
CITIZEI NS ADVICE SERVICL IN THREE RIVLRS 29 Notes on the Accounts (continued) 16. Analysis of movements in restricted funds {continued) Name of restrlcted fund Description, nature and purpose of the fund General advice Debt advice Case work To support our general advice work. To 5UPPOrt our money advice work. To support our work on sickness and disability benefits, family law, and scams. The premises provided by Three Rivers District Council rent free at Rickmansworth, and the premises at Abbots Langley provided at a subsidv by The Parochial Church Council of Abbots Langley and the St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance. Grants received to provide assistance to deservlng clients. Accommodation Charity donation5 17. Analysls of net assets between funds General fund Designated funds Restrlcted funds Currentyear Total Debtors and Prepayments Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand Creditors falllng due within one year 7,134 202,234 217,873 1113,2241 314,017 £ 7,134 312,734 225,201 (113,2241 7,328 £ 431,845 110,500 7,328 110,500 £ General fund Designated funds Restrlcted funds Previous Year Total Debtors Short term deposlts Cash at bank and in hand Creditors.falling due within one year 2,564 19,836 341,888 31,596 332,692 £ 2,564 164,536 351,990 131,596 10,102 £ 487,494 144,7LM) 10, 102 144,700 £
CITIZENS ADVICE SERVICE IN I"HREE IUVERS 30 Notes on the Accounts {contlnued) 18. Reconcillatlon of net income to net cash flow from operatinE activlties 2025 2024 Net movement in funds Interest income Increase in debtors and prepayments I ncrease i n short term de posits Increase/¢decreasel In creditors (55.649} (12,388} {4.5701 (148, 198) 81,628 (139,1771 112,945) (7,9951 30,836 90,343 199,377 862